Distributed natural gas storage system(s) using oil & gas & other well(s)

Abstract

The present invention revolves around the incorporation and use of existing drilled wells, either dry holes, abandoned or converted producing wells and/or new, to be drilled wells or any other well(s), of any diameter and any depth, located, sited, designed and fabricated to store and cycle compressed natural gas or other gasses or hydrocarbon liquids within the contained cavity of the well-bore casing in any volume and with any degree (high or low) of deliverability.

Each of the well(s) can then be incorporated with additional facilities, depending upon designed use and process (use and process as discussed within the patent application), such as standard telemetry, automation and integration equipment, compressors, pressure reducing regulators, turbo-compressors (for electrical and or mechanical power creation), distributed power generator engines, measurement equipment and other components for compressing and storing the gas or hydrocarbon liquids within the system at a range of rates, and then cycling the gas out of the well(s) for a number of business applications. The well(s) can also be incorporated with standard electronic communication devices to automate and integrate them within other systems such that they can be controlled remotely and automatically from any location.

Description

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to the new use of drilled wells to store and cycle compressed natural gas or other gasses within a specifically designed system(s) whereby the compressed gas is contained within the cavity of the well-bore casing and not permitted to be forced through any well-bore casing perforations into the surrounding underground formation due to the fact that the cased well-bore is sealed at the lower end.Generally, oil & gas wells are usually drilled to significant depths (greater than 3,000 feet) and then plugged, if dry, or eventually abandoned once production of oil and / or gas stops.This invention revolves around the use of existing drilled well(s), either dry holes, abandoned or converted producing wells and / or new, to be drilled, well(s) or any other well(s) located, sited, designed, drilled and fabricated to store and cycle compressed natural gas or other gasses to and from the sealed well-bore, in any volume and rate a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

This installation would be of benefit to the rate payers of the LDC as it would result in overall lower costs, increased efficiencies and increased abilities to meet growing needle peaks and needle balancing. Thus, this system could become part of the rate base of an LDC while mitigating costly pipeline capacity charges, penalties and peak shaving costs.

Also, for example, a power generator could utilize this system (FIGS. 2, 3) to provide gas to its turbines on a non-uniform basis significantly reducing its transmission charges and mitigating its exposure to potential transmission system imposed penalties, restrictions and / or curtailment. The system could also be used to harness the cooling affect of the expanding gas to enhance the operating efficiency of its power generation turbines or engines.

Also, for example, a intrastate or interstate transmission pipeline could utilize the system (FIGS. 2, 3) to increase their ability to provide PROFILING services, increase capacity and reduce costs associated with the cooling of gas at the discharge side of compressors (ie: after cooler costs). The incorporation of turbo-expanders will also be of benefit to increase efficiencies of the turbine.

Problems solved by technology

This places even greater demands on the delivery systems and results, at times, in penalties, curtailments, restrictions and general over-building of delivery systems and resulting environmental impacts.

Delivery system operators are currently attempting to expand through new construction and are developing new rate / cost structures to accommodate non-uniform hourly consumption.

These actions will only serve to increase costs and increase in-efficiencies.

Images